Rachel Dolezal was born in Montana with pale skin and blonde hair and along with these things, she identified as white (Johnson). Dolezal, years later, identifies herself as black. This transformation has lead to many people being offended and it raises the question “Where do we draw the line when it comes to identity?” A change in identity is a matter of personal preference and as long as no one is threatened or injured, nothing else should seem to matter to the public. (Johnson). Keep this in mind as Rachel Dolezal’s history and shunning is revealed, along with her comparison to Hester Prynne’s scandal.
Dolezal’s experiences leading up to her transformation have been normal for the most part. She became interested in Black Culture during her childhood as her parents adopted 4 young African American children. Dolezal’s interests peaked at this time and it is said that "Perhaps some of her sensitivity comes from her adoptive black siblings." (Jabbar). However, one of Dolezal’s now grown African American …show more content…
As both of these strong characters do something that the community that is looked down upon, they both accept their shaming with courage and don’t back down. In the Scarlet Letter, The townspeople are cruel to punish Hester Prynne by agreeing that “This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die” (Hawthorne, 59). Not such of a suggestion was made toward Dolezal, but she did feel the wrath of the community through many threats that she has reported. It is said that after the reported break in at her home, a noose was left on her porch and she hinted at being a target by hate groups due to her “Biracial heritage” (Dolezal). Another similarity between the two is that they are both part of groups that don’t accept them. Dolezal, not being the race that was required of her to be the president of the NAACP and Hester Prynne not living true to the Puritan morals
Dolezal’s experiences leading up to her transformation have been normal for the most part. She became interested in Black Culture during her childhood as her parents adopted 4 young African American children. Dolezal’s interests peaked at this time and it is said that "Perhaps some of her sensitivity comes from her adoptive black siblings." (Jabbar). However, one of Dolezal’s now grown African American …show more content…
As both of these strong characters do something that the community that is looked down upon, they both accept their shaming with courage and don’t back down. In the Scarlet Letter, The townspeople are cruel to punish Hester Prynne by agreeing that “This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die” (Hawthorne, 59). Not such of a suggestion was made toward Dolezal, but she did feel the wrath of the community through many threats that she has reported. It is said that after the reported break in at her home, a noose was left on her porch and she hinted at being a target by hate groups due to her “Biracial heritage” (Dolezal). Another similarity between the two is that they are both part of groups that don’t accept them. Dolezal, not being the race that was required of her to be the president of the NAACP and Hester Prynne not living true to the Puritan morals